About Us
Helping youth and families succeed in school, at work, and in life
Our Mission
Asian Youth Center's mission is to empower low-income, immigrant, and at-risk youth, of all communities, to overcome barriers to success through the provision of culturally and linguistically competent education, employment, and social services.
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Programs
Meet Our Leadership
Leadership
Bryan Chau
Board President
Elizabeth Yang
First Vice President
Todd Becker, J.D.
Second Vice President
Steve Maekawa
Treasurer
Kenny Chung
Secretary
Meet Our Team
Our Team
Michelle L. Freridge
Executive Director
Christine Najung Lee
Deputy Director
Jerica Finley Orozco
Director of Contract Compliance
Aida Cerda
Education and Community Engagement Program Director
History
- 1989: Asian Youth Project was established by the Asian Task Force of the United Way. Its founding members included May L. To and Judy Chu, before she was the first Chinese-American woman elected to Congress.
- 1990: Asian Youth Project becomes a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and is renamed the Asian Youth Center (AYC).
- 1996: AYC wins an At-Risk Youth Competitive Grant from the Open Space District, allowing the agency to acquire and develop its headquarters in San Gabriel, CA.
- 2009: Asian Youth Center started services in the Antelope Valley.
- 2020: Emergency Food Program expands to fit the increased needs of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
- 2021: Asian Youth Center was named a California Non Profit of the Year by Senator Susan Rubio.
- 2022: Asian Youth Center opened new Antelope Valley building to support programs and services.
